As well as a curling fan, he was also a
die-hard Roughriders fan. It was at a football game late last year that news
leaked that Corman was seriously ill.

He first became a
subscriber in 1948 — the year in which the Regina Roughriders were renamed with
a provincial emphasis — and remained a fixture at Mosaic Stadium through the
final home game of the 2012 Canadian Football League campaign.

Following that contest, won
31-26 by the Toronto Argonauts on Oct. 27, Corman chatted with two volunteer
ushers — Jeff Sastaunik and Jeff Kozack — who man the aisle between Sections 26
and 27.

“Bobby used to call us his
bodyguards,’’ Sastaunik recalls. “After the game, he said, ‘I want a picture
with my two bodyguards.’ ’’

A typically cordial
conversation ensued. Sastaunik said he looked forward to seeing Corman again
when the 2013 season began.

“He said, ‘I don’t think
I’ll be back next year,’ ’’ Sastaunik says. “I asked him why. He said, ‘I’m
battling cancer, and it’s not looking good.’ It hit us like a ton of bricks.’’

***

The Canadian mixed is on at
the Town of Mount Royal Curling Club (where I threw my very first curling
stone). Once again, I ask: “Why?”